AARON BOONE AMONG YANKEE MANAGERIAL CANDIDATES

This is just getting weirder and weirder.  ABC News er... Buster Olney of ESPN, is reporting that Aaron Boone, the 3rd baseman that helped the Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox back in 2003 with his historic home run is one of the candidates for our new manager. 

Allen Kee/Getty Images

If I had to flip a coin between Wedge and Boone, I'd pick the coin.  What are the Yankees doing?

Buster Olney writes:

"Aaron Boone...among the candidates to be the Yankees' next manager, according to sources. An interview has not yet been scheduled.  The only candidate to interview for the job thus far is longtime Yankees coach Rob Thomson, who met with team executives for between five and six hours Wednesday."

Now Buster is wrong about 1 thing, Wedge did interview with the Yankees yesterday making that 2, Thomson and he.  In fact, rumors are flying.  At one point mid-week there were as many as 20 managerial choices rumored to be part of the Yankees plan.  I was able to confirm that that number is down to 12... or Eleven.

Photo: Eleven from Stranger Things

This is Eleven. See what I did there?

The point is there are several choices, but not as many as other sports writers are saying.  I personally would love to see a guy like Tony Pena or Raul Ibanez at the helm, but I guess we wait and see.

And for now, Aaron Boone is yet ANOTHER name thrown out there.  Stay tuned.

THOSE GIRARDI REPLACEMENT CANDIDATES

Photo: Getty Images

Wow, that took no time at all! The Yankees season ended less than a week ago and already they have declared that Joe Girardi will no longer be the team manager, read GIRARDI'S TOAST.

Speculation has already begun as to whom shall be his replacement. There are many candidates out there, but as you and I know... this is not a job for just anybody. Along with the managing of a baseball team, when taking the job of being the New York Yankee manager you're also taking on the task of managing an entire fan base and city.

Photo: New York Post

So while there are many managers out there, the options really are limited.  So, in the immortal words of Men at Work, I can't help but wonder "Who can it be now?" Of all the possibilities out there, is there really one that could step in and do what Joe Girardi has done for the last 10 years?

As with any situation like this, there are a lot of names being thrown around as to who could be the next man up. It's hard to tell which ones actually may be in the running. Our leader here at BYB, Robert Casey, asked me to write a piece as to who might actually be the next Yankee manager.

With the youth movement in full effect, I really don't think it would be wise to shake things up too much. I believe the new manager will come from within the organization. Someone who knows the strengths and weaknesses of the kids already. 

The first candidate that I would think fits this mold is current bench coach, Rob Thomson. He has been in the organization since 1990 and knows how things work within its confines. Though he does have limited managerial experience, 75 games for the New York/Penn League Oneonta Yankees, this is a hire that could end up working out just fine.

Another in-house guy could be current manager of the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Railriders, Al Pedrique.

Photo: Getty Images

Pedrique has managed and had success at every level within the organization. He has managed a lot of the kids currently on the big league roster and knows what they can and cannot do.

Photo: NJ.com

A third and final in-house candidate could be current third base coach Joe Espada. As with the previous names, Espada has been around the organization for a few years now. Though, much like Thomson he has little to no managerial experience, if you surround him with the right coaches, he could end up being decent. 

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

A fourth option is Tony Pena.  He is loved by the players, has been around the game forever and could be the perfect fit with the New York Yankees.

Look, I have no idea what it takes to be a good manager, but my feeling is that you simply need to continue molding our youth, and I believe that if you keep it inside the family, it may be a smart start.

What do you think? Should we keep it in the family? Or should we go bigger?  Dusty Baker? Raul Ibanez? 

--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @sevn4evr 

HAPPY NEW YEAR. IT'S ABOUT MOVING FORWARD.

Happy New Year from everyone here at Bleeding Yankee Blue!

This year flew.  Between my own personal life, family and crazy activity schedules and all of that... I just remember when it was Halloween and thinking... "My god, where has the year gone?"

Bleeding Yankee Blue has accomplished so much.  We have expanded in the sense that we have a few new writers, and still looking for more by the way (Read HERE) and the writers we do have have grown in to appointments for our readers.  They have become journalists, solid writers with their own flare, they're on niche.  We don't have a strict policy about a lean or bias other than we root for the New York Yankees.  But as you have seen in our body of work... if we're unhappy with our team, a player, a manager... we're going to tell you.  That's because one of the main goals of this Yankee Fan website is to always have integrity, always be unique, conversational, fun and most importantly thorough with how we present this product.  We will not lie to you.  We will demonstrate character!

Through this entire process... we have gained friends... you, to read through our pages, disagree or agree when needed and take to the social media to tell us exactly how you feel.  We, in turn have an obligation that journalists these days appear to have forgotten. We don't disappear after we write our stories. We will interact with you and hash it out.  Never nasty, always a good dialog between our audience and my writers... and always a resolution.  That works, and we practice that here at Bleeding Yankee Blue. I can name dozens of sites that do not.

That's why our audience is loyal. That's why you come to us every single day! That's why celebrities like Laura Posada have worn us, Russell Crowe retweeted us, 

Source: New York Daily News

This year marks 6 years since the first story I posted on the Web about my New York Yankees.  The story was WHY LAST NIGHT WAS IMPORTANT and I will forever be connected in some weird way to Sergio Mitre because he frustrated me so much... BYB was born.  Meanwhile so much has happened... yet other things have changed.

Photo: Getty Images

For one, Joe Girardi is still here and sadly, since our birth in 2010... the Yankees have not won a championship.  Strange, but not surprising.  The Yankees have made plenty of turnover... we've seen guys like Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter, Mark Texieira and Alex Rodriguez retire.

We've fell in love with guys and their short stints with the Yankees as well.  Guys like Raul Ibanez...Kerry Wood... Eric Chavez.

We've seen the kids transform and then disappear like Manny Banuelos and Andrew Brackman.

(July 16, 2016 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)

And we've even seen a few blossom... Dellin Betances... Tyler Austin to name a few.

(Sept. 6, 2014 - Source: Travis Lindquist/Getty Images North America)

We've watched the Yankees get dramatically younger... we've seen Robinson Cano take the money and run, watch Jacoby Ellbury and Ichiro Suzuki come to New York almost unexpectedly and through all of it... all of it, you guys have continued to read us, tell your friends about us, grow with us, wear our clothes, wish us the best of luck and yes... I can tell you that I am overjoyed, excited, thrilled and all those words that I can't think of right now.

BYB has blossomed and tonight we celebrate on New Year's Eve!  I remember when this whole thing started.  I was leaning on Rob Abruzzese of Bronx Baseball Daily asking him a lot of questions, probably annoying him pretty well, but he was helpful.  But he said something very important to me back then... this is me paraphrasing...  "It's a grind, but if you can get past the 2 year mark, you have a good shot of making it. " My goal however was to not stop.  We haven't.  I mean sure, we've seen some writers go on to college and find no time in their schedule to write for BYB... but we need to continue no matter what and my writers and I know that it's a commitment, even though it's free... even though we need to work it into our schedules no matter what.

Our writers know that we have an obligation to our readers.  We know that we need to produce product for you every day, especially if there is news out there and especially if we have a hard opinion that you need to hear, be it about Yankeeland or about life.  Bottom line... we need to make sure you're fed, because you expect it, because you like my product and because you love our writers and BYB team.

And so on this New Year, 2017... I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such an incredible audience.  You are smart people who appreciate and respect the grind, and know that we are human beings.  There will be mistakes some days.  There may even a day we take a day off... but in the end, we always will be here for you to give you our very best work.  That's because we are passionate folks with a love for writing and a love for the New York Yankees.

Thank you friends.

Thank you family.

Farewell to 2016.  Hey 2017... BRING IT!

Robert Casey
BYB Chief, Managing Editor & Head Writer
@BleednYankeeBlu

GUESS WHAT TEAM CHAPMAN WOULD LOVE TO PLAY FOR...

(May 18, 2016 - Source: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images North America)

Nice little nugget from our buddy Ray Negron who writes for New York Sports Day involving Aroldis Chapman and his recent conversation with him.

Check this out:

(Nov. 1, 2016 - Source: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America)

"He says, that he is proud of being a world champion and was very happy to be able to contribute to the success of the Chicago Cubs. He said that 2016 turned out to be a the fantasy for him and getting traded to the Yankees was great because as most Cubans know, the Yankees have always been Cuba’s team.

(Oct. 29, 2016 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)

'The organization treated me first class,' he said, 'And the fans were like no other.' He also said, Chicago fans are great but there is something about a Yankee fan that is hard to explain. I asked him straight out, if the Yankees were his preference in the free agent market and he said, 'I would love to be a Yankee again.'”

(Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)

You have to love that. I know I did.  Coincidentally, the last time we heard a Yankee say something similar was the last time Ray Negron helped us out here on Bleeding Yankee Blue.  He helped us get an interview with Raul Ibanez after the 2012 season.  It was in BYB EXCLUSIVE. IBANEZ TO SANDY VICTIMS: "I AM HERE TO HELP" that Ibanez said:

"One of the greatest years of my life.  I heard it was great to be a Yankee I just didn't realize how much!  I can't wait to come back to the Yankees!"

(May 8, 2016 - Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America)

Obviously, Raul didn't come back, but Chapman has a chance. Of course, it all comes down to money. Plus, Hal Steinbrenner made it clear he wants the bolster the Yankee pen.  It would make sense that Chapman is on the top of that list.

Let's see what happens in the next few days.  I hope to see Chapman back in pinstripes!

Nice work, Ray Negron. To our BYB audience, Ray's a solid guy and this is a great nugget.

5 BRILLIANT OPTIONS FOR YANKEE HITTING COACH

It's crazy to think about this but the Yankees will have their third hitting coach in the last three years when Spring Training kicks off next year. It's frustrating. Will the third time finally be the charm? God we hope so.

So earlier this week the Yankees released Jeff Pentland, part of the new tag team duo read THE YANKEES JUST FIRED SOME COACHES in case you missed it. I admired that the Yankees tried something new to try and get this team hitting again but it didn't work. From August until the end of the season the team looked like the walking dead. We knew someone had to get the axe. Now the problem is....who gets the new job? We have a few ideas.

1) Raul Ibanez

It's not a far stretch, both the Yankees and Ibanez himself were interested once upon a time. We even wrote about it in IBANEZ IS CURIOUS ABOUT THE YANKEES HITTING COACH JOB. I still like the idea as a matter of fact and if Ibanez still wants to get his feet wet and be a coach this would be a great place to start. Ibanez is respected and he knows the organization. He was also an accomplished hitter with 305 home runs and an .801OPS in 19 seasons. I think he would be a great fir for the organization.

2) Hideki Matsui

Who wouldn't want to see Godzilla back in the dugout again? His name has been mentioned again, especially after spending time as Brian Cashman's special advisor. Matsui has been praised for his ability to work with the minor league prospects this season. He has been credited with being very observant, and approachable. He was a big part of the Yankees success in 2009 and the man could hit. He has a great eye, but he is enjoying his current role and considering he has a young three year old he may not be ready for this kind of a gig.

3) Marcus Thames

I don't think Thames is getting enough attention. He is the Yankees AAA hitting coach and helped them clinch their division this season. One reason that this choice intrigues me is that he already has a rapport with both the seasoned players and some of the current kids we watched all season long. After all, he knows Greg Bird, Aaron Judge, and Rob Refsnyder very well. He is making an impact in the minors, and he was with the Yankees back in 2010. He can work with the kids and the veterans, and I like that.

4) Tino Martinez

He's been a hitting coach before, right? Sure, things in Miami didn't work out for Tino but New York could be a lot different. Tino knows what it is like to be a Yankee. He also knows about the expectations the Yankees will have. He did have a guest coaching appearance this year during Spring Training where he was rumored to be considering a longer term gig, read that HERE. Maybe that opportunity is finally here. He was a fan favorite, and he played in some pivotal games as a Yankee. Maybe he can bring back that spark to get the guys back to winning playoff games.

5) Don Mattingly

OK, so there are many articles out there on the Internet saying this is an unlikely fit. Maybe it is, but you have to admit that the timing is perfect. Casey said as much...

Maybe the timing's right to bring in Don Mattingly as the @Yankees next hitting coach. #TimingIsEverything #BYB

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) October 22, 2015

Look, Mattingly is a legend. I was excited for him when he finally got a managing job with the Dodgers. He is a smart baseball man. No that he has managerial experience he only has more skills to bring to the table. He had a rough gig because his team was built in a "World Series or BUST" scenario. That's a lot of pressure and I think he could be in that position here and thrive at it. It may be time for him to return to where he played his entire career and started as a coach. Maybe it is destiny.

It's going to be an interesting off season. There are a lot of good candidates out there, but it is hard to tell what ownership is thinking. It would be nice to finally have some stability on this team and some results. Change is coming....who do you want as the next hitting coach? Comment and tell us.


   

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ 




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YANKEES MAY HAVE FOUND THEIR HITTING & 1ST BASE COACH

Maybe at least. 

Look, as you know, we haven't heard much about a hitting coach for the Yankees.  What we have heard is that no one is too interested. 

Eric Hinske didn't want the gig, and just when you thought Raul Ibanez may be a guy that would be perfect for the role, he has a personal matter and pulled out of consideration for even the managers job of the Tampa Bay Rays.  My thinking was if he didn't get the Rays gig, he'd call the Yanks.  Now, with that personal matter in play, forget it.

Marcus Thames was mentioned as well at one point, but the Yankees are promoting him to assistant hitting coach. So the question is... who's the hitting coach?

There's a nugget... and I wanted to share it.

(In photo: James Rowson)
The Yankees like 2 guys, both are coaches in the Yankees minor league system. One is James Rowson and you've heard his name in the mix with Marcus Thames and Dante Bichette when Kevin Long first left.  Then it got quiet. 

(In photo: Jody Reed)
The other coach being considered is Jody Reed.

As far as the first base coach, the Yankees interviewed Willie Randolph for the job.

How do you like 'dem apples?

If anything happens with Reed, Rowson and Randolph (sounds like a law firm), we will bring you the news on BYB. 

Nice nugget, huh?

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RAUL IBANEZ PULLS OUT OF "SKIP" CONSIDERATION

Raul Ibanez was one of the finalists for the Tampa Bay Rays managing job.  Then, something happened... he pulled himself out of consideration.  The reason? Personal reasons.

According to the Tampa Tribune, he left for "family concerns." It's all we know at this point and it's personal... no need to dig to find out.

One important note for Yankee fans though; if that happened for a gig he really wanted, you can probably kiss Raul goodbye for any type of consideration for a hitting coach gig in New York with the Yanks.

Whatever it is, he's being a man. He's walking away from the game he loves to deal with his family.  I applaud that and we wish Raul well.

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IBANEZ IS BRONX BOUND IF HE DOESN'T GET THE RAYS GIG

Just a quick note, and then a suggestion as to what happens if Raul Ibanez doesn't get chosen for the Rays Manager's job.

It's being reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times... the Rays have some finalists:

BREAKING: #Rays managerial finalists are Kevin Cash, Raul Ibanez and Don Wakamatsu. Bench coach Dave Martinez is out.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) November 21, 2014

So what does this mean to a Yankee fan? Well, a lot. You need to root against the Rays on this one. 

We love Raul, but selfishly ,we don't want him getting the Rays gig.  Why you ask? If he doesn't, I would suggest it is then that the Yankees sign Raul as their hitting coach.  Why else would they be waiting as long as they have? Don't forget, the Yankees were supposed to announce a hitting coach right around the World Series ... read THE YANKS WILL PICK A HITTING COACH BY TUESDAY for that. That was October 18th, and that never happened, and then it was suggested that Raul was "intrigued" by the Yankees hitting coach job. Then... radio silence.

It's a gut feeling ladies and gentlemen... let's see what happens.

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IBANEZ IS CURIOUS ABOUT THE YANKEES HITTING COACH JOB...

So why haven't the Yankees pulled the trigger on getting Raul back to the Bronx as a hitting coach? This seems like a no-brainer to me.

Quick note.  We've heard that the Yankees were interested in talking to Raul Ibanez about the the Yankees hitting coach job.  We've also heard that Raul was "all ears" about the gig.  Then... nothing.

Back on October 31st, George King III of the New York Post said this:

"The Yankees and Raul Ibanez have discussed him becoming the club’s hitting coach and he is curious about the possibility, according to people with knowledge of the situation....Ibanez, 42, is widely respected for his knowledge of hitting and an ability to communicate with players on the subject. However, since he has never been a hitting coach at any level, there could be questions about if he can handle the wide variety of chores attached to the position."

The question is this... are the Yankees unsure if Raul can handle the job because he doesn't have a hitting coach background? Or... are they trying to hammer out a deal.  Stay tuned...

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YANKEES' REUNION WITH RAUL IBANEZ VERY LIKELY

It would be a nice reunion with Raul Ibanez and the New York Yankees if the rumors are true about our club eyeing Ibanez to be the next hitting coach. When I read the headline, I smiled.

According to George King III of the New York Post, "There is serious speculation running through Kauffman Stadium prior to Game 7 of the World Series that the Yankees are waiting for the Series finale Wednesday night so they can contact the Royals’ Raul Ibanez to gauge his interest in being their hitting coach."

Look, there is one thing that is constantly sticking in my mind thinking about the Yankees possibly interested in bringing Ibanez back to the Bronx.  It's something he told us here at BYB when we interviewed him a few years ago, after his big time homers in the playoffs in 2012 (Read BYB EXCLUSIVE. IBANEZ TO SANDY VICTIMS: "I AM HERE TO HELP") ...

He said this when I asked if he was thinking about coming back to the Yankees:

Raul Ibanez: "One of the greatest years of my life.  I heard it was great to be a Yankee I just didn't realize how much!  I can't wait to come back to the Yankees!"

Obviously it never happened, but now, things are different. It's in an instructor capacity and that would be amazing to see! The reunion would not only be gratifying for the Yankees as an organization, especially if this is report is true. It would also be a thrill for Ibanez! Oh yeah, and I'm almost positive us fans would absolutely love it too!

RAAAAUUUUULLLLLL!

Stay Tuned!



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